Method and system for detachably fixing a surface component to a background

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system for detachably fixing a surface component ( 16 ) to a background ( 18 ), especially a tile to a wall or on a bottom, whereby projections connected to the surface component when secured to the background and/or recesses engage with recesses connected to the background and/or projections, said recesses and projections being correspondingly embodied in such a way that they have deformable undercuts in the direction of the distance of said component from the background, the projections and recesses connected to the background being embodied on a forming film ( 4 ). The projections and recesses embodied on the surface component ( 4 ) are formed by a hardenable bonding material ( 22 ) which is applied to the forming film ( 4 ) joined to the background ( 18, 26 ) and/or to the surface component before it is pressed onto the forming film, said material bonding with the surface component when hardened.

The invention relates to a method and a system for detachably fixing a surface component to a background, in particular a tile to a wall or to a floor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a forming film, a connection component, a plate component, a connecting element, a spacer component, a fastening element, a plug connector, a tub body and a corner connector.

The installation of tiles, floor boards etc. is connected with much expenditure, on the one hand, and leaves many problems unresolved on the other. For example, it is possible only with much difficulty to obtain a reliable sealing between the surface of the tiles and the background with the bonding materials currently in use, such as mortar, adhesive etc. Furthermore, tile or plate elements can be removed from the background only with substantial expenditure. The removal of plate elements from the background is necessary, for example when tiles or floor boards need to be replaced in showroom kitchens; when tiles or floor boards have to be replaced in a residential house, etc.

A method of fixing boards to a background is known from DE 40 26 472 C2, which represents the starting point on which the introductory parts of the present secondary independent claims are based. In connection with such fastening, a plastic layer with elevations and/or recesses is applied to the backsides of the boards, and provision is made on the background itself for a coating with recesses and/or elevations, whereby the elevations and/or recesses of the coating correspond with those of the plastic layer in such a way that they fit together in a clamping manner, so that the boards can be pressed onto the coating layer of the background and can then be secured on the latter in a detachable manner. The coating layer that can be secured on the background is formed, for example by means of a forming film made of polypropylene or ABS that, for example, can-be nailed to the background. The elevations and/or recesses may be configured in such a manner that they fit each other with undercutting, slightly locking one another. A characteristic feature of the known type of fastening is that the boards have to be individually provided with the plastic layer, which is expensive. Furthermore, it is not possible to displace the boards pressed onto the background due to the engagement between the recesses and the elevations, which are arranged with the screen-like configuration, so that it is not possible to compensate, for example the tolerances existing in connection with tiles.

A similar type of detachably fixing tiles to a background is known from DE OS 1 926 226, where the background and the backsides of the tiles are provided with profiled attachments, whereby the profiled attachments are provided with projections and recesses that engage each other with undercutting in a locking manner and can be elastically deformed, so that they are detachable.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a solution to the problem of detachably securing flat surface construction components on an background, in particular tiles on a wall or on a floor. This solution is related to practice and favorable in terms of cost.

A first solution to the problem of the invention is achieved with the method according to claim 1.

In connection with the method as defined by the invention, tiles can be laid in the conventional manner to the extent that a bonding compound, for example a tile adhesive is applied to the background that is provided with the forming film, and/or to the backside of the tile, and that the tile is subsequently pressed onto the background, whereby it can be displaced, for example for the purpose of compensating tolerances with other tiles, as long as the bonding compound has not yet hardened. After the bonding compound has cured, the tile is retained on the forming film is a form-locked manner by means of the cured bonding compound connected with the tile. The tile itself can be manufactured in the entirely conventional manner and needs not to be provided with any forming components before it is laid. If a thick-walled, elastic forming film is employed, the tile can be removed from the forming film while the forming film is being elastically deformed, whereby the projections and recesses formed by the bonding compound on the tile are preserved, or may be destroyed. Alternatively, the tile may be removed by peeling off the forming film, which preferably is not entering into any bond with the bonding compound. The forming film can be directly fixed to a background mechanically, for example by tacking it to the background, or it may be secured according to claim 2.

Claims 3 and 4 are related to the way in which the method is carried with a two-layer forming film, which permits removing the tiles in a particularly simple manner, whereupon the background is then immediately available again for installing new tiles.

Another solution to the problem of the invention is achieved with the system according to claim 5. This system is developed further in an advantageous manner with the features of claims 6 to 8.

Claims 9 to 13 characterize forming films that are advantageously employed with the method as defined by the invention and for the system as defined by the invention.

Claims 14 to 21 are directed at different surface construction elements that can be used in the system as defined by the invention.

The invention can be applied in a great variety of different ways. The invention is suited in a particularly beneficial manner for the construction trade, in particular for installing tiles, floor boards or other flat surface elements on floors, ceilings and walls. In the present context, the term “flat surface construction element” is in particular relating to those surface construction elements that comprise a surface for attaching the element to a background. The term “background” must not necessarily directly relate to a wall, a floor or a ceiling, but may also relate to an intermediate layer to which the flat surface building element has to be fixed.

The invention is explained in the following by further details with the help of schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross section through a system in which a plate element is fixed to a wooden background in the manner defined by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section through a system in which a plate element is fixed to a brick wall.

FIG. 3 is a cross section through two corrugated forming films that are plugged one into the other.

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a forming film as it is advantageously used for a system according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a representation for explaining the rotation of a foil piece by 180°.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the foil pieces according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detailed view of the foil pieces according to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross section through plate elements fixed to different backgrounds, using two forming films according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a cross section similar to the one of FIG. 8, using two pieces of film according to FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a forming film with ventilation apertures.

FIG. 11 is a forming film with thickenings for enlarging the form-locked connection.

FIG. 12 shows forming films filled with different materials.

FIG. 13 shows different ways of fixing tiles to a background.

FIG. 14 shows cross sections through different embodiments of forming films.

FIG. 15 shows schematic top views of different types of forming film.

FIG. 16 is the view of a house for explaining the functional benefits achieved through the application of the invention.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a forming film fixed to a brickwork.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show cross sections through different embodiments of connecting construction elements.

FIG. 20 shows different applications of the connecting construction elements according to FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21 shows a system for attaching a tile to a background in a displaceable manner.

FIG. 22 shows spacer construction components that are helpful for the installation of tiles.

FIG. 23 shows a fastening element with sketches for explaining the function.

FIG. 24 shows a plug connector with sketches for explaining the function.

FIG. 25 shows a floor tub; and

FIG. 26 shows another embodiment of a floor tub with a corner connection body.

FIG. 1 shows schematically how a plate element, for example a tile is fixed to a background. A forming film that is denoted by 4 as a whole is an important element of the connection system shown in FIG. 1. This forming film has a meander-shaped cross section and comprises grooves extending towards its two sides, and the projections 6 and 8 viewed in the cross section, whereby the recesses 12 and 14 are formed between the projections 6 and 8. The figures show that the wall areas separating the projections from the recesses are formed not vertically in relation to the longitudinal expanse of the film, but curved outwards, so that neighboring recesses 12 and 14 undercut each other when viewing the film from the top; i.e. said recesses are formed in such a manner that they are form-locking each other perpendicular to the longitudinal expanse of the film with respect to an assumed relative movement. Expressed in other words: the cross-sectional area of a recess first increases, starting from the bottom of the recess, as the spacing from the recess increases, then decreases, and then increases again. The forming film 4 is realized from a material and with a thickness in such a manner that it exhibits a certain inherent stiffness, i.e. it retains the shown form in its free condition. The forming film may consist of, for example a thermoplastic material.

The plate element 16, for example a wall tile, is fixed to a background 18 in the following manner:

In FIG. 1, the underground is a wooden panel 18 (or, for example a plaster board) that may be a component of, for example a floor or, in a representation where it is turned by 90°, a component of a wall (or, with another rotation by 90°, a component of a ceiling). The forming film 4 is fixed to the wooden panel 18 by means of tacking by inserting, in the manner known per se, wire tacks in the deepest points of the recesses 12 and tacking them through the forming film 4 into the wooden panel 18. Thereafter, the bonding compound 22, for example tile adhesive or tile mortar, is filled in the recesses 12 of the inherently stiff forming film 4, and the plate element 16 is pressed on and moved into the desired position. During hardening, the bonding compound 22 enters into a bond with the backside of the plate element 16, so that the plate element 16 is connected with the wooden panel 18 via the form-lock between the cured bonding compound 22 and the forming film 4 without the forming film 4 entering into any adhesive or other bond with the bonding compound 22. It is understood that the bonding compound can be applied also to the tile to be laid and, as the tile is being positioned on the forming film, is pressed in its recesses. In the manner described above, it is possible to line the surface of a wall with plate elements, whereby the latter can be exactly aligned with each other as long as the bonding compound has not yet hardened, so that any tolerances of the plate elements can be compensated.

For detaching the plate element 16 from the wooden panel 18, the forming film 4 according to FIG. 1 is pulled, for example to the left, whereby it is stretched, so that the form-locked connection is released and the forming film is torn from the wire tacks or torn out together with the latter. In this way, the plate elements can be removed from the substrate in a simple manner without damaging the substrate. New plate elements can be subsequently fixed to the substrate according to the method described. The arrangement can be additionally stabilized by filling prior to the tacking step a hardening compound in the recesses 14 as well, which not necessarily has to enter into a bond with the wood material or the plaster.

In connection with the arrangement according to FIG. 2, which basically corresponds with the one shown in FIG. 1, whereby the background, however, is a brickwork or a coat of plaster, a bonding compound 24 is first applied to the background 26 and enters into a bond with the latter as it is curing. The forming film 4 is pressed into the still-unhardened bonding compound 24. The layer thickness of the bonding compound 24 is dimensioned in such a manner that the recesses 14 of the forming film 4 are filled as the latter is being pressed in. Thereafter, in the manner it has been described in connection with FIG. 1, the bonding compound 22 is filled in the recesses 12 of the forming film that is fixed to the background 26 via the form-locked connection between the bonding compound 24 present in the recesses 14, and the forming film 4. Finally, the plate element 16 is attached or pressed on.

The bonding compound 24 may be of a type that is different from the bonding compound 22, so that the properties can be adapted to the background 26 and of the plate element 16, respectively.

In connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 2, too, the forming film 4 is peeled off from the side for removing the plate elements 16 from the background, whereby the projections formed by the bonding compounds 22 and 24 are alternately extracted. In this manner, a plate element 16 can be detached from the background in a simple manner by exerting only a relatively low tensile force on the forming film 4.

A further benefit that is achieved with the fastening system described above lies in the fact that the forming film 4 is forming a barrier layer between the plate element 16 and the background, which is advantageous for many application purposes. In addition, it is possible to obtain good sound and stepping-sound insulation.

The system described above can be modified in many different ways. For example, with the embodiment according to FIG. 1, it is possible by means of suitable elasticity of the forming film 4 to remove the plate element 16 upwards with deformation of the forming film without any destruction occurring at all, whereby the projections filling the recesses 12 and formed by the bonding compound 22 remain intact, so that it is possible to subsequently insert the plate element 16 again in the forming film, if need be.

Alternatively, it is possible to use bonding materials that can be elastically deformed in a defined manner, so -that it is possible to remove the plate elements with elastic deformation of the bonding compound both in connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 1 and the embodiment according to FIG. 2. It is possible also to realize the forming film 4 with a wall thickness and with an elasticity of its material that the form-locked connection can be released in connection with a rigidly curing bonding compound while the forming film 4 itself is being elastically deformed.

FIG. 3 shows the two forming films 41 and 42 that are plugged one into the other.

If the one forming film 4 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is replaced by the double structure according to FIG. 3, the lower forming film 41 according to FIG. 3 is directly (FIG. 1) or via form-lock (FIG. 2) fixed to the substrate, and the upper forming film 42 is fixed to the plate element 16. With a suitably thick and elastic realization of the two forming films 41 and 42, the plate element 16 can then be removed from the substrate with elastic deformation of only the forming films 41 and 42, whereby the forming film 42 remains on the plate element 16. The forming film 41fixed to the background is then immediately available again for laying new tiles, whereby it is possible again to work with a double film by first inserting a forming film 42 in the forming film 41.

The systems can be structured as described with the help of FIGS. 1 and 2, whereby the double forming film 41, 42 is used instead of the forming film 4. Alternatively, the structure can be built in such a manner that the forming film 41, like the forming film 4, is first fixed to the background; that the forming film 42 is fixed to the plate element 16; and that the two forming films are then plugged one into the other so as to form the structure according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section through a forming film 4 tat may consist of, for example a plastic such as polystyrene, polyethylene or other suitable plastics, with a material thickness of about 0.3 to 1.0 mm, which is particularly advantageous for a double film according to FIG. 3. According to FIG. 4, the forming film 4 has the projections 6 and the recesses 12 which, viewed from the top, alternate with each other in the form of a meander. The recesses 12 each are formed in such a manner that measured from the apexes of neighboring projections, their clear cross section first decreases, then widens towards a narrowest point “e”, in order to then decrease again toward the bottom. In this way, the projections 6 that widen upwards in a slightly mushroom-shaped form, alternate with recesses that each slightly expand downwards below the narrowest point.

Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that the projections 6 and the recesses 12 are asymmetrical to the extent that the width “a” of each recess is slightly smaller in the area of the narrowest point, than the width “b”, of each projection 6 in the area of its widest point. In addition, the projections 6 are formed in such a manner that they each extend by a small measure “h” beyond the widest point in each case, than the depth “t” of the recesses 12, measured in each case from the narrowest point, i.e. the measure “h” is smaller than the measure “t”.

On top, FIG. 5 shows a film piece 42 in the position according to FIG. 2, and, at the bottom, shows the foil piece 42 turned by 180° around an axis vertically standing on the plane of the paper. Viewed from the top in each case, FIG. 5 shows that following the rotation by 180°, projections are turned into recesses, and vice versa. What is achieved with the embodiment described with the help of FIG. 4 is that the film piece 42 that is turned by 180° according to FIG. 5, can be inserted and locked in a film piece 4 disposed in the position according to FIG. 4, whereby the backsides of the projections 62 (=previously the recesses 4) engage the projections 61 of the lower forming film piece 41 from behind after overcoming the undercuts, and, in a similar way, the recesses 122 of the upper forming film 42 engage the recesses 121 of the lower forming film 41 from behind. The undercut is made available in each case on account of the fact that the measure “a” (FIG. 4) is slightly smaller than the measure “b”. The mutual clip-like engagement between the two forming film pieces 41 and 42 may take place through the elasticity of the wall material itself (thinning of the wall), or by elastically bending the forming film as a whole. The condition h≦t (FIG. 2) ensues the additional benefit that intermediate spaces remain in each case between the forming film pieces 41 and 42, so that any dirt or particles that might be present on the surfaces of the pieces of forming film are stripped off when the pieces are pushed one into the other, and are accommodated in the intermediate spaces 132 that remain avalable. Therefore, even under conditions that are not entirely clean, as they frequently exist on construction sites, the pieces of film are safely connected with the construction components fixed to them.

FIG. 7 shows a cutout from FIG. 6 in an enlarged representation for elucidating the mutual geometric relations. It is distinctly visible that the width within a recess A formed by a “former” projection G is by about twice the amount of the wall thickness of the forming film smaller than-the width within a recess R.

The principle described above can be applied just as well to meander-shaped films (the projections and recesses are each forming through-extending ribs and, respectively, grooves) as it can be applied to forming films that are embodied with small cups, as it is described by way of example in the following in connection with FIG. 15, or applied to forming films where the undercuts are formed by local thickenings or naps, as it is explained in connection with FIG. 14.

As explained with the help of FIG. 4, the important feature of the described forming film lies in that the inside width of the recesses 4 is in each case at least as large than the outside width of the projections. What is achieved in this way is that two film pieces that are turned by 180° against each other and are part of the same forming film will fit one into the other without any permanently crushed spots or deformations, whereas due to the wall thickness of the forming film, pieces with the same embodiment of projections and recesses will otherwise not fit one into the other without contact after the respective undercuts have been overcome (see FIG. 7). FIG. 7 shows overall that the narrowest point “e” of a recess 12 is, by about two times the amount of the wall thickness, wider than the narrowest point “o” on the backside of a former projection 6, which, upon rotation of the piece of film by 180°, is forming a recess that is open upwards. The measure “b”, for example, may be by almost the amount of one wall thickness greater than the measure “a”. Owing to the fact that the film pieces 41 and 42 are received one in the other at least largely free of deformation after the one has been pushed into the other, a connection is created that is free of fatigue and permanently durable. It is understood that the forming film also may be embodied in such a manner that in the condition shown in FIG. 7, a slight mutual abutment is present with minor elastic deformation. It is understood that the forming films, in particular if they are retained one in the other only in a form-locked manner, are applied to the substrate in such a manner that the recesses or projections extend horizontally.

FIGS. 8 and 9 correspond with the systems according to FIGS. 1 and 2, whereby the film of FIG. 8 drawn by a thick line is a double structure, i.e. consisting of the two forming films 41 and 42. FIG. 9 represents a double film according to FIG. 7 that is composed of a film according to FIGS. 4 and 5. The center part of FIGS. 8 and 9 represents a background in the form of a plaster board 28 that comprises stabilizing layers on both sides consisting, for example of paper, a fiber mat or other materials.

It is advantageous in some cases of application if the forming film 4 is not forming any gas or moisture barrier. In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, the forming film 4 is provided with the passage holes 32.

The embodiment of the forming film according to FIG. 11 is characterized in that the forming film is provided with the coatings 34, for example by immersing its meander-shaped bulges in a bath in such a manner that the form-lock is increased. Such a form-lock exists for the volumes V₁ in the presence of a movement upwards, and for the volumes V₂ in the presence of a movement downwards out of the forming film 4, The undercut between the volumes V₁ and V₂ must not necessarily take place in this connection through the curvature of the forming film 4. The forming film 4 could be bent off at a right angle in each case (grooves having vertical side walls and a horizontal bottom wall). The form-lock or undercut would be provided in that case only by the coatings 34. It is sufficient for many cases of application if only the underside or the top side of the forming film 4 is provided with the coatings 34.

It is clearly shown in FIG. 12 that the recesses of the forming film 4 may be filled or foamed with an elastically yielding filler 36 (FIG. 12 a), or filled with a filler 38 (FIG. 12 b). The fillers 36 and 38 may replace the bonding compounds 22 and 24 tat are used, for example in the FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 13, a top view of a wall that is provided with a forming film 4 like the substrates 18 or 26 of FIG. 1 is shown in part (a) of that figure. This wall is already partially covered with the plate elements 16, which are, for example tiles.

FIG. 13 b represent the backside of a plate element 16 that is provided with a bonding compound, for example with the bonding compound of FIG. 1, so that the form-locked connection is produced after the bonding compound 12 has cured, as explained with the help of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 13 c, an additional forming film 4 is fixed to the backside of the plate element 16, for example by intermediately arranging a suitable bonding compound. The plate element 16 of FIG. 13 c can be fixed to the wall in a simple manner by inserting the plate element 16 with its forming film 4 in the other forming film 4, so that the structure of FIG. 3 with the form-locked connection between the two forming films is obtained. It is understood that such an insertion is feasible either by elastically deforming the forming films 4 themselves, or by maintaining at least one of the two filled bonding compounds in an elastically yielding condition, for example by using a suitable foam material.

FIG. 14 shows different cross sections through forming films.

The forming film 4 shown in FIG. 14 a has the shape of a meander in such a manner that its projections each widen towards the closed side, and its recesses narrow towards the open side.

In connection with the forming film 4 according to FIG. 14 b, which has vertical side walls, the form-locked connection is produced by providing the side walls with the thickenings 40.

Similar considerations apply to the embodiment of the forming film 4 according to FIG. 14 c, which has a saw tooth shape viewed in the cross section, and is provided with the thickenings 40. The latter ensure that the material received in the recesses with a saw tooth-shaped cross section is accommodated there in an inter-hooked or form-locked manner.

The embodiment of the forming film 4 according to FIG. 14 d combines the cross-sections of FIGS. 14 b and 14 c.

In particular the embodiments according to FIGS. 14 b and 14 c are suited for the double-forming film structure of FIG. 3 (indicated on the right in FIG. 14 d).

FIG. 15 shows top views of different embodiments of forming films.

The forming film according to FIG. 15a has the form of a meander and has the grooves 42 extending parallel with each other. These grooves are separated by the projections 44.

The embodiment of the forming film according to FIG. 15 b has the recesses or outward bulges 46 and the protrusions 48 that alternate with each other in the way of a chessboard.

The embodiments according to FIGS. 15 c to 15 e have the recesses 46 and the protrusions 48 as well that are arranged in different configurations, whereby the recesses 46 are drawn as circles and the outward bulges 48 as dark disks.

It is understood that the side walls not shown in FIG. 15, which are extending between the recesses and the projections about perpendicular to the plane of the paper, are realized in such a manner that they are forming undercuts. All of the films shown, for whose configurations numerous other possibilities are available, can be used as individual forming films or double forming films.

The forming films may be made of different materials, for example of thermoplastic foils; in a form of polymerizing plastic sheets etc. Metallic foils are basically suited as well.

According to FIG. 16, the invention is suitable for all applications in and around a building, for example for all inside as well as outside surface areas, and also for balconies. It is explained in the following that the invention is suitable for forming moisture barriers, gas barriers, thermal insulation systems, sound and step-sound insulation systems etc. per se, or can be integrated also in the installations of linings such as tiles, panel elements etc.

FIG. 17 shows an example of how a forming film 4 can be fixed to a plaster or directly to a brickwork 26 by means of a bonding compound 24 that is curing in an elastic or rigid way. Uneven surfaces of the brickwork 26 can be smoothened with the help of the bonding compound 24, so that the forming film 4 will then extend in a plane manner as a whole and be suited for attaching other construction elements to it. The forming film 4 may be realized in such a manner that it will form a moisture barrier. The bonding compound 24 can be realized in such a way that it will contribute to sound protection.

FIG. 18 shows connecting construction components as they can be employed as auxiliary components in the connection system as defined by the invention. FIG. 18a shows the connecting construction components 50 that have a meander-like or corrugated shape on one side surface, and extend in a plane manner on the opposite side surface. The filling of the connecting surface construction components 50 may be rigid per se or elastically yielding to a certain extent. The connecting construction components 50 can be manufactured in such a manner that the finished connecting surface construction component as a whole is produced in a mold or extruded, if necessary, or, in a manner similar to the one explained with the help of FIGS. 1 and 2, is incorporated in a material that is curing, for example in a rectangular mold with a plane bottom, into which a forming film is pressed from one side. Following curing, the connecting construction component provided with the forming film can then be removed from the mold.

In connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 18 b, the connecting construction component 50 is realized in the form of a meander, with projections and recesses alternating on two side surfaces opposing one another.

The plate surface components 50 and 52 of FIG. 18 exhibit excellent thermally insulating effects particularly if the filler is Styropor. When heavier fillers are used that are afflicted with internal friction, it is possible to obtain excellent sound insulation properties. A good compensating effect is achieved if “Ri-plaster” is employed as the filler.

In FIG. 19, a construction component 54 is shown in FIG. 19a that is plane on one side and provided on the other side with alternating bulges and protrusions, whereby the surface construction component as a whole is very flat because the bulges or recesses reach up to the plane-shaped backside of this connecting construction component. Again, the connecting construction component 54 can be produced in a mold as a slightly elastic molded component made, for example of foamed plastic, or it can be produced by using a forming film that is connected with a base plate, with a filler arranged in between, whereby the filler enters into a bond with the base plate.

FIG. 19 b shows the two connecting construction components 54 that are joined with each other or plugged one into the other in a form-locked manner.

FIG. 20 shows different applications of the structures described in the foregoing.

FIG. 20 a shows a structure where a plate element 16, for example a floor tile, is fixed to a floor 60 with a board construction component 50 arranged in between as a step sound board. Like the connection between the board construction component 50 and the floor 60, the bond between the plate element 16 and the connecting construction component 50 can be produced indirectly via the curable bonding compounds 22, or also by fixing to the plate element 16 or the floor 60 a forming film by means of the bonding compound. In this way, the structure can be disassembled in a simple manner. Similarly, a connecting construction component as the one shown in FIG. 19 can be arranged between the plate construction element 50 and the floor 60, or the plate element 16, as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 b corresponds with FIG. 15 a. The thick-drawn corrugated line is to show that two forming films 4 are employed in each case. It is understood that the two forming films 4 can be used only on the top side or on the bottom side of the plate construction component 50.

FIG. 20 c represents a structure in connection with which a wooden floor 62 is glued together with a connecting construction component 54 according to FIG. 14 a. This connecting construction component 54 is fixed to an underground, for example to a stone floor, for example directly via the hardening bonding compound 22.

The embodiment according to FIG. 20b corresponds with the one of FIG. 20 c, whereby again, a double forming film 4 is employed.

In connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 20 e, a carpet 62 is fixed to a floor 60 with a forming film 4 arranged in between, whereby the connection can be realized, for example in a manner similar to the one shown in FIG. 2, or by using one or two of the connecting construction components 54 according to FIG. 19. FIG. 20 f again indicates the use of two forming films between the carpet 62 and the floor 60.

It is understood that the structures described above only represent exemplified embodiments, and that the system as defined by the invention, with the form-locked engagement between protrusions and recesses, as well as with the beneficial intermediate arrangement of one or more forming films, permits numerous modifications and applications.

FIG. 21 shows a plate element 16 that is provided on its backside with a forming film 4, and a background 64 that is provided with a forming film 4 as well. The grooves of the two forming films 4 extend perpendicular in relation to each other. So as to be able to fix the plate element 16 to the background 64, provision is made for a connecting element 66 (FIG. 21 c) that is comprised of two rod elements that are arranged in a rectangular manner in relation to each other, and that are joined with each other on their peripheries in a rigid manner. These rod elements are dimensioned in such a manner that they fit into the grooves of the forming films 4. It is directly visible that the plate element 16 can be secured on the background 64 by clipping the rod elements of the connecting elements 66 into the grooves of the forming film if the rod elements are suitably elastic for this purpose, or by inserting the rod elements sideways. Furthermore, it is possible with the help of the connecting element 66 to displace the plate element 16 in relation to the background 64 (which may be a plate-shaped construction element as well) in the direction of the rod elements 68 and 70.

It is understood that the plate element 16 and the background 64 do not necessarily have to be provided with forming films, but may be realized in the form of molded elements in which the meander-shaped structure of the grooves is integrated.

FIG. 22 shows in FIG. 22 a a spacer construction component 72 that, as a whole, is formed by a flat component that has a spacer bridge 74. This bridge is ending in the meander-shaped protrusions 76, which are realized in such a manner that they can be clipped into a structure of grooves corresponding with the background 64 shown in FIG. 21. The plate elements 16 are fixed to said grooves. It can be directly seen in FIG. 22 c that the spacer bridge 16 arranged between the plate elements 16 advantageously serves the purpose of fixing the distance between the plate elements 16 if the latter can be displaced in the horizontal direction according to FIG. 22.

According to FIG. 22 b, the spacer construction component 70 is additionally provided with a bridge 78 that is extending at a right angle in relation to its spacer bridge 74, so that according to FIG. 22 c, the result is a spacer cross, by means of which it is possible to fix the relative position of four plate elements.

Fastening elements that can be used on a meander-shaped structure of recesses and projections of the type as provided, for example by a forming film, are explained with the help of FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 a shows a cross section and top views of a fastening element 80 that comprises a projection 82 with a shape that is adapted to the recesses of a forming film, and a face 84 which, viewed from the top, is rectangular or round or shaped in some other way. According to FIG. 23 b, the projection 82 can be clipped into a recess of a forming film 4.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 23 c, the projection 82 is divided or has a spread hole into which a spreading screw 84 can be screwed, so that the fastening element 80 can be inserted first with its projection in a recess of a forming film without the necessity of elastic deformation, and can then be spread as the spreading screw 84 is being screwed in, so that it is retained in the forming film or a corresponding recess in a fixed manner.

It is beneficial for many applications to cover a large surface area with forming film, or to adjoin forming films with one another under a mutual angle. A plug connector for forming films is explained with the help of FIG. 24.

FIG. 24 shows a plug connector for connecting the two forming films 4, which are first arranged laterally next to each other. On its opposite side, the plug connector 86 has the receiving shafts 88 that are arranged on its oppositely disposed sides, and connected with each other via an intermediate component 90. Each receiving shaft has an upper wall 92 and a lower wall 490, with an insertion slot being formed between said walls for inserting the forming film 4. The upper wall 92, which in FIG. 24a is visible only by a cross sectional view; the lower wall 94 and the insertion slot formed between said walls each are adapted to conform with the forming film 4 to be inserted. The intermediate component 90 is made of a flexible material, so that the two receiving shafts 88 can be arranged at an angle in relation to one another (see FIG. 24 b).

FIG. 24 c shows an embodiment of the plug connector 86, in connection with which the intermediate component 90 is shortened and rigid.

FIG. 24 e is a perspective view of the plug connector 86 of FIG. 24 c that is set at a small angle in relation to the direction of insertion. Visible are the corrugated upper wall and the corrugated lower wall with the intermediate component 90 realized in the form of a bridge. The grooves 96 formed on the upper and lower sides advantageously correspond with the grooves of the forming film 4 (FIG. 24 f).

The plug connector 86 shown in FIGS. 24 a and d allows forming films to be connected in the direction in which the grooves are extending. FIG. 24 e shows an embodiment of a plug connector 86 by means of which two neighboring forming films can be joined that are arranged next to each other perpendicular to the direction in which the grooves are extending.

FIG. 24 shows that it is possible with the help of the plug connectors to assemble individual forming films so as to form a large area of forming films, whereby owing to the design of the plug connectors on their top and bottom sides with the grooves 94, it is possible to mount, for example tiles in the area of the plug connectors just as well as in the area of the forming films. The insertion slot has a cross section that corresponds with the one of the forming films, so that the latter are accommodated in the slot in a fixed manner. The entire structure with its large surface area can be realized therefore in a watertight manner.

FIG. 25 shows by way of example how it is possible with the forming film 4 as defined by the invention, to build a floor tub, for example a shower floor tub that is reliably watertight, on the one hand, and can be covered with tiles on the other, whereby the tiles can be replaced in a simple manner.

According to FIG. 25 a, provision is made for a molding tool 98 whose contour corresponds with the negative contour of a tub to be built. A forming film 4 is fixed to the top side of the molding tool 98 in such a manner that it flatly abuts the top side of the molding tool 98. If the forming film 4 is made of a thermoplastic material, this can be accomplished, for example by slightly heating the forming film 4 in the area of the edges—if any—of the molding tool 98, so that the forming film will form edges correspondingly. In the condition shown in FIG. 25 a, a base plate 100 is attached to the top side of the forming film 4 that is disposed on the top side of the molding tool, whereby this base plate 100 is advantageously made of a thermoplastic material as well, so that it can be directly attached to the forming film by heating it and, for example by means of molding punches (not shown), and can then be fused with the forming film. Alternatively, a curing bonding compound can be applied to the top side of the forming film 4 that will be bonded then at least to the base plate 100 as it is curing.

After the structure described above has been completed, it is removed from the molding tool 98 from the top and vice versa, so that the tub according to FIG. 25 b is formed. This tub is reliably watertight because it is produced in the form of one single piece, and it can be covered with tiles in the manner described with the help of the examples specified above. It is understood that the tub 102 may be realized in such a manner that it is only partly covered with tiles, so that the base plate 100 is directly visible in part areas. The base plate is advantageously drawn upwards along its edges, so that, for example a shower tub is provided that can be sealed against walls in a simple manner.

Another example showing how a body that can be covered with tiles can be produced in a simple manner is shown with the help of FIG. 26. According to FIG. 26 a, a base plate realized in the form of a forming film 4 with adequate inherent stiffness is folded like a cardboard box by drawing its edge areas upwards, so that a bottom 110 is produced from which the side walls 112 are projecting. In the interest of superior foldability, the base plate 106 is pressed flat in the area of the resulting folding lines or edges, advantageously using, for example a heated punch 113 (FIGS. 26 b and c).

For connecting the side walls 112 of the box-type body so obtained, provision is made for a corner connector 114 that is produced, for example by deforming a forming film, or in the form of a molded part. In the area shown, this corner connector comprises the three walls 116 that are vertically standing one on top of the other and realized in the form of one single part. These walls comprise grooves that correspond with the grooves of the bottom 110 and the grooves of the side walls 112.

The corner connector 114 may be joined with the box on the inside or on the outside by clipping the respective grooves one into the other, allowing for a form-locked joint. With the preferred additional use of an adhesive, a tight tub is obtained that can be covered in a simple manner with tiles on the inside and/or on the outside, for example by a method described in the foregoing. It is understood that the form-locked connection can be produced also via recesses and protrusion realized other than in the form of grooves (see FIG. 9).

FIG. 27 shows an example of the manufacture of a forming film 4 realized with grooves:

The two molding rolls 120 that are mutually engaged, and whose external peripheries are provided with grooves, are rotating in such a manner that a film made of thermoplastic material is pulled in. The film 122 passing through between the molding rolls is reshaped due the grooves formed in the -molding rolls, and by suitable heating, into a corrugated film 124 that comprises grooves that are open upwards and downwards in an alternating manner, with a width that is at least constant or expanding. The corrugated film is sliding over a table 126 and is passing through between the transport rolls 128, whose peripheral speed is lower than the speed of the molding rolls 120, so that the corrugated film moving across the table 126 is upset. In the area between the molding rolls 120 and the transport rolls 128, provision is made for the heating devices 130 that heat the corrugated film 126. Due to the compression, the grooves are reshaped in such a manner that they are realized with the undercuts that are visible in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3. The forming film 4 is produced in this manner.

Advantageously, provision is made downstream of the heating devices 130 in the direction of movement of the film for cooling devices (not shown) for stabilizing the film. Furthermore, the surfaces of the transport rolls are designed soft in such a manner that the forming film will not be reshaped or overstressed by being in contact with said surfaces.

It is understood that different manufacturing methods can be applied depending on the design of the forming film.

List of Reference Numerals

-   4 Forming film -   6 Projection -   8 Projection -   12 Recess -   14 Recess -   16 Plate element -   18 Wooden panel -   20 Wire clip -   22 Bonding compound -   24 Bonding compound -   26 Brickwork -   28 Plaster board -   30 Stabilizing layer -   32 Passage hole -   34 Coating -   36 Elastically yielding filler -   38 Filler -   40 Thickening -   42 Groove -   44 Projection -   46 Recess -   48 Projection -   50 Plate construction element -   51 Plate construction element -   54 Connecting construction element -   60 Floor -   62 Carpet -   64 Background -   66 Connecting element -   68 Rod element -   70 Rod Element -   72 Spacer construction component -   74 Spacer bridge -   76 Projections -   80 Fastening element -   82 Projection -   84 Spreading screw -   86 Plug connector -   88 Receiving shaft -   90 Intermediate component -   92 Molding tool -   94 Punching device -   96 Floor tub 

1-21. Cancel
 22. A method for fixing a surface component (16) to a background (18; 26), in particular to a tile or to a wall or to a floor, in connection with which a first forming film (41) provided with projections (6, 8) and recesses (12, 14) is fixed to the background; a second forming film (42) provided with projections corresponding with the recesses of the first forming film is inserted in the first forming film (41), so that the second forming film (42) is undisplaceably retained in the first forming film (41) in a direction extending parallel with the forming films; a curing bonding compound (22) entering during curing into a bond with the surface component, is applied to the second forming film (42) provided with projections (6, 8), and/or to the surface component (116); and that the surface component is subsequently pressed onto the second forming film, so that the cured bonding compound received at least partially in the recesses of the second forming film is undisplaceably retaining the surface component in a direction extending parallel with the second forming film; characterized in that the first forming film (41) as a whole is realized in the form of a meander with alternating projections (6) and recesses (12), whereby the clear cross section of the recesses first decreases, starting from the apexes of neighboring projections, and widens after a narrowest point (e), in order to then decrease again further towards the bottom of the recess, so that the recesses are realized in such a manner that their cross-sectional area decreases in a part area in the direction of a distance from the background; and that the shape of the second forming film (42) is identical to the shape of the first forming film (41) turned by 180°, with the recesses and projections of the latter being different in such a manner that they can be received one in the other with undercuts in those of the second forming film (42) with respect to a direction extending perpendicular to the forming films (41, 42) inserted one into the other, so that with the two forming films inserted one in the other and with the bonding compound cured, a form-locked bond exists between the second forming film and the surface component with respect to a distance of the surface component from the background.
 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the first forming film (41) is fixed to the background by applying to the latter a curing bonding compound (24), into which the forming film (4) is pressed, whereby the curing bonding compound enters into a bond with the background and the cured bonding compound received in the recesses facing the background produces a form-locked connection between the background and the forming film.
 24. The method according to claim 22, whereby the first and the second forming films (42) are realized in such a manner that their form-locked connection can be released under elastic deformation when the second forming film is moving away from the first forming film (41).
 25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the curable bonding compound (22) does not enter into a bond with the forming film (4; 42).
 26. A forming film for application in a method according to claim 22, characterized in that the forming film as a whole is realized in the form of a meander with alternating projections (6) and recesses (12), whereby the clear cross section of the recesses first decreases from the apexes of neighboring projections, and widens; after a narrowest point (e), in order to then decrease again toward the bottom of the recess; and that the projections (6) and the recesses (12) are differently realized in such a manner that the projections and the recesses of one film piece (41) of the forming film (4) can be received with undercuts in the recesses and projections of another film piece (42) of the forming film (4) turned by 180° with respect to a direction extending perpendicular to the film pieces inserted one in the other.
 27. The forming film according to claim 26, characterized in that the projections (6) and the recesses (12) are realized in such a manner that in the area of the narrowest point, the width (a) of each recess is smaller than the width (b) of each projection in the area of its widest point.
 28. The forming films according to claim 26, characterized in that the projections (6) in each case extend by a small measure (h) beyond the widest point than the depth (t) of the recesses (12) from each of their narrowest points.
 29. The forming film according to claim 28, characterized in that the forming film (4) is realized in such a manner that intermediate spaces (132) remain in the direction of insertion between the inner sides of the recesses and the outer sides of the projections of the film pieces (41, 42) inserted one in the other.
 30. The forming film according to claim 26, characterized in that the forming film (4) is realized in such a manner that the film pieces (41, 42) inserted one in the other are received one in the other free of deformation.
 31. The forming film according to claim 26, characterized in that the undercuts can be overcome by elastic deformation of the material of the forming film (4).
 32. A system for detachably fixing a surface component (16) to a background (18; 26), in particular a tile to a wall or to a floor, comprising a wholly meander-shaped forming film (4) with projections (6, 8) and recesses (12, 14), whereby the clear cross section of the recesses first decreases from the apexes of neighboring projections; widens after a narrowest point (e) ; in order to then decrease further towards the bottom of the recess, so that: a first film piece (41) of the forming film (4) is fixed to a background, and a second film piece (42) of the forming film (4) turned by 180° can be inserted in the one film piece and thus retained there by a form-locked connection; whereby a bonding compound (22) entering into a bond with the surface component can be applied to the surface component and/or to the second film piece (42); and whereby, after the surface component: has been pressed into the recesses of the second film piece (42) and is in a condition in which it is at least partially received in said recesses, the surface component is formed in a form-locked manner in the direction of a distance from the first film piece.
 33. The system according to claim 32, characterized in that the curing bonding compound (22) does not enter into a bond with the forming film (4).
 34. A plate construction component according to claim 31, with at least one surface with alternating projections and recesses, said plate component being insertable in the forming film.
 35. A connecting construction component (54) for a system according to claim 31, with a surface formed with alternating projections and recesses, and with a flat side against which the deepest points of the recesses are resting at least approximately.
 36. A connecting element for a system according to claim 31, with two rod elements (68, 70) arranged at a right angle in relation to each other and being rigidly connected with one another and having their axes removed from each other, for engaging groove-like recesses of construction components to be connected.
 37. A spacer construction component (72) for a system according to claim 31, with a spacer bridge (74) from which protrusions are projecting, such protrusions being insertable in recesses.
 38. A fastening element (80) for a system according to claim 31, with a projection (82) for engaging a recess of a construction component.
 39. A plug connector (86) for connecting two forming films for a system according to claim 31, with at least one receiving shaft (88) for inserting therein a forming film, said receiving shaft being formed by an upper wall (92) and a lower wall (94), whereby the upper and the lower walls and an insertion slot formed between said walls are adapted to correspond with the forming film.
 40. A tub body (102) for a system according to claim 31, the inner side of said tub body being at least partially provided with alternating projections and recesses in such a manner that the volumes of the recesses are received in a form-locked manner in the recesses with respect to a direction extending perpendicular to the expanse of the surface of the tub body.
 41. A corner connector (114) for connecting walls (110, 112) consisting of forming films, in particular walls of a housing formed by folding over a forming film along folding lines extending at an angle in relation to each other, for a system according to claim 31, said system comprising wall segments (116) directed in accordance with the direction of the walls to be connected, and having projections and recesses corresponding with the ones of the walls. 